STAND & DELIVER
CITY ASK FANS IF THEY WANT SAFE STANDING AT THE ETIHAD
CITY are considering introducing safe standing at the Etihad as part of plans for a stadium expansion.
The club have permission to expand the North Stand, which would increase the capacity of the stadium from 55,000 to 63,000, and they have now begun consulting fans over the scheme.
An email sent out to supporters asked for their opinion on a number of options, including introducing rail seating.
“The club has planning permission to extend the North Stand of the stadium, and although there are no plans in place at present, we would like to consider what this would look like,” the survey said.
“As a club Manchester City is open to the option of safe standing, in the right circumstances that ensure the safety of everyone in the stadium. We would like to gather feedback as whether this would be something that fans would like to see at the Etihad, should the government make legislative changes in the future.”
Safe standing was discussed in Parliament in the summer and there will now be an official review of the issue as clubs fight to bring it in.
The proposals in the email claim rail seating could be available in the South Stand and as part of an expanded North Stand. A rail seating season ticket in the North Stand tier 2 would cost £520 while a similar ticket in South Stand tier three would be priced at £270. Pitchside rail seating in the South Stand would be £380 while a similar ticket in North Stand tier two would be £550.
The survey also asked fans’ opinions on the possibility of moving the most vocal City supporters to be closer to the away fans. Fan group 1894 would like to see the option of away fans being moved to a different part of the stadium.
RICKY Hatton thinks Tyson Fury is already a winner regardless of what happens in his fight with Deontay Wilder tomorrow – due to his long battle to overcome his demons.
Fury will look to once again become world heavyweight champion when he faces Wilder for the WBC belt at the Staples Center in Los Angeles.
It’s been a long road back to the top for Fury – who initially won the WBA, WBO, IBF, IBO and Ring Magazine belts when he travelled to Dusseldorf and defeated Wladimir Klitschko by unanimous decision in November 2015.
Due to mental health problems, along with a very public battle with drink and drugs, the Manchester heavyweight decided to relinquish his belts before a rematch with Klitschko could take place, and it looked like he may never step into a ring again.
He finally made his comeback in June after having to lose around 10 stone in order to get back in shape, and Hatton is proud of Fury for getting his life back on track and becoming an advocate for mental health.
“After everything he’s been through mentally, Tyson winning would be great.
“Mental health is a very important thing,” Hatton told M.E.N. Sport.
“Frank Bruno was a world heavyweight champion, and he still suffered from mental health.
“Tyson Fury was a world heavyweight champion, and he still suffered from mental health. I was probably one of the most popular British fighters we’ve ever had, and I still suffered from mental health.
“It just shows that even when you climb Everest, you can still mess it up.
“It’s been a tough road for Tyson, both mentally and physically, so it’s a fantastic achievement for him even to be there.
“It must be around two years now where we’ve had Anthony Joshua linked with Wilder but it hasn’t happened for whatever reason, and in that two years Tyson has lost 10 stone in weight, fought all of his demons, had two comeback fights and is in America to fight Wilder
TYSON Fury accused Deontay Wilder of looking for a way out of tomorrow’s WBC heavyweight title fight after the two had to be separated at their final press conference.
The fighters’ entourages became involved as shoves were exchanged and the challenger removed his shirt.
There was little question Fury had consistently remained the more composed of the two, but he later insisted Wilder was attempting to provoke him to throw a punch that could have left the fight in jeopardy.
“I believe Wilder wanted me to aim the left hook so that the fight would be cancelled,” said Mancunian Fury.
“He wanted to trick me into hitting him so that he could get out of the fight. I’m not going to make that mistake. He knows he can’t win and it’s clear for everyone to see now. He’s a very nervous character and by the looks of it he doesn’t want to fight. He talks a good game but he talks nonsense, really.
“He wanted me to get a massive fine but I’m not that stupid. He’s rattled.
“He felt he needed to scream and shout and make threats.
“We’re here to do a job for sport and be professional.” for the WBC heavyweight title. That’s as good an achievement as any. If he wins then it outweighs the Klitschko win by a mile for me.”
Hatton has travelled to Los Angeles to be in Fury’s corner for the fight, having also worked alongside him for his two comeback fights earlier this year.
It has been in Hatton’s gym in Hyde where Fury has spent most of his time training this year, before heading to America for his training camp in preparation for the fight with Wilder.
Fury split his time between Big Bear and the Wildcard Gym in California, with Fury’s time in the Wildcard leading to Freddie Roach also joining the corner team for tomorrow’s fight.
Fury has looked in impressive shape over the past few weeks, with Hatton revealing it is the best he has ever seen him look.
“When I first saw the photos of him in the Wildcard Gym I thought that’s the best shape he’s ever been in. He looks in better shape now than when he fought Klitschko,” said Hatton.
“He needs to be in that shape to avoid the bombs from Wilder, but the fact he’s trimmed down more and the fact he knows he can hit Wilder will make him more sharper and alert.
“Don’t get me wrong, if Wilder does nail him then he might not get up this time, but if you said to me where is my last pound going, I’d say Fury on points.”